Gospel: (Jn 15:1-8)
“I am the true vine, and my Father is the gardener. He cuts off every branch in me that bears no fruit, while every branch that does bear fruit he prunes so that it will be even more fruitful. You are already clean because of the word I have spoken to you. Remain in me, as I also remain in you. No branch can bear fruit by itself; it must remain in the vine. Neither can you bear fruit unless you remain in me.
“I am the vine; you are the branches. If you remain in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing. If you do not remain in me, you are like a branch that is thrown away and withers; such branches are picked up, thrown into the fire and burned. If you remain in me and my words remain in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you. This is to my Father’s glory, that you bear much fruit, showing yourselves to be my disciples.
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St. Faustina noted in her Diary (D. 969, 1630, 1231)
Today, I went up before the Blessed Sacrament to do my Meditation. When I got to the altar, the Divine presence transfixed my soul, and I was steeped in the ocean of His Divinity, and Jesus said to me, “My daughter, all that exists is yours.” I answered the Lord, “There is nothing my heart wants save You, O Treasure of my heart; thank You, Lord, for all the gifts You give me, but all I ask for is Your Heart. Although the heavens are huge, they would be nothing for me without You; Jesus, You know all too well that I am in a continual swoon out of longing for You.” “My daughter, know that you are already enjoying now what other souls will only have in eternity.”
O Jesus, reinforce the powers of my soul, don’t let the foe gain anything at all. Without You, I am weakness itself; without Your grace what would I be – but a chasm of my own wretchedness.Wretchedness is my property.
It is not with Seraphs, Lord, that You unite, But with a miserable creature of the human race, Without Your help I’ll do nothing right, But You are always ready with Your merciful embrace.
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- Jesus says that I am already clean because of the word He has spoken to me…
- Do I try to listen to the living Word of my risen Lord every day and remain in Him?
- I will ask the Holy Spirit for the grace of a passionate desire to study God’s Word!
